For the last few months I have instructed West Virginia Red writers and contributors to not write about the condition of the West Virginia Republican Party (State Party). I am going to change that policy today.
I am changing this policy because of the inaction from the State Party and Republican leaders on the biggest issue and fight our state has ever been engaged in.
I understand that people will say and send nasty e-mails calling this website and its writers divisive, against the State Party, against Chairman Doug McKinney, saying we haven’t contributed financially, and other petty things.
This debate is not about West Virginia Red or any personality. It’s about a fight for the people of West Virginia and the jobs and an industry which is essential to our success.
The West Virginia Republican Party hasn’t done one thing in the debate over coal mining, mountaintop coal mining, EPA rulings, Army Corp of Engineer hearings, or taken any other substantial action to provide support for an industry, which is arguably, the largest economic engine in West Virginia.
The State Party has a new headquarters, a new executive director, and a full-time staff and they are not capable of generating at least one e-mail or press release urging West Virginia Republicans to take action and attend a hearing to stand in support of the coal industry and mining jobs. The lack of inaction from the State Party is inexcusable.
Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, the state’s only Republican representative in Congress, is leading the fight for coal in Washington. Capito’s efforts and actions have received very little support from the State Party.
The press releases, statements, and videos that Congresswoman Capito’s office makes available to media outlets get little to no attention on the State Party’s website.
There are pockets of Republicans that are engaged in this discussion. There are people at the grassroots level, who are migrating to other groups and efforts that are engaged in the coal debate. That does not excuse the inaction of the State Party.
Is this a strategy at the State Party? The attack on coal is the biggest issue that our State has faced in a long time and the State Party has been absent from the fight.
Judging from the State Party’s website a general observer would not be able to determine if the State Party has even taken a position on coal and energy issues.
This criticism goes far beyond the State Party leadership and staff. Where are the elected Republicans that serve in the West Virginia House and Senate?
West Virginia Red writers have been to most, if not all, of the pro-coal events in West Virginia. The only Republican legislator that consistently shows up is Delegate Troy Andes, who is an employee of Massey Energy.
Where are the Republican leaders of our House and Senate? I personally know there are pro-coal supporters on the Republican side of the aisle, because I have worked with them on coal and energy issues at the Capitol.
The inaction from the West Virginia Republican Party and Republican leaders will have results.
Some of the biggest donors to the West Virginia Republican Party have ties to the coal industry or businesses that are involved in the coal industry.
The largest single donor to the West Virginia Republican Party is Don Blankenship. Mr. Blankenship gave $100,000 in corporate cash in 2000 to purchase a headquarters for the State Party. A portion of that money is now being used to make the rental payment on the State Party building for the executive director and staff.
Other large donors like James “Buck” Harless, Andrew Jordan, Steve Walker, and Pat and Mike Graney have made most of their money in the coal and energy business. These gentlemen and their businesses have a stake in the outcome of the coal and energy debate.
It’s very unlikely that the State Party will be the recipient of large contributions from people involved and connected to coal mining and energy businesses. The Party is on track to continue hemorrhaging money and potentially be in debt, if not already, very soon.
Coal executives, coal political action committees, and mid to senior level employees who normally contribute to Republican candidates and elected officials will be less inclined to contribute to Republicans who have sat on the sidelines during this debate.
It is too late for the State Party to change course on this issue. They have missed a tremendous opportunity to put West Virginia Democrats on the defensive and in a position which could divide and splinter their Party.
We now see West Virginia Democrats who support the coal industry leading the offense. They are taking an offensive role to tamp down the image that some groups are trying to depict West Virginia Democrats, like their partners in Washington, as anti-coal.
As a result of their inaction, the State Party will continue to operate in a very weakened and minimal capacity. The State Party’s vendettas and personal conflicts toward people involved at the top levels of the pro-coal campaign have hurt them. Their inaction and apathetic attitude will hurt Republican candidates next year.
To win a debate you have to attend and speak out very well. Unfortunately, the West Virginia Republican Party didn’t show up to the debate on coal.
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Any West Virginia Republican Party official, including Chairman Doug McKinney and Executive Director Troy Berman, may respond to this post in the comments or by sending West Virginia Red an e-mail to the address listed above.
This is one Republican that has been part of the discussion up to his armpits and plans to continue until this Republican holds the 3rd District Congressional seat. Vote GEARHEART!
I previously posted that I have got to agree with you on this, while I know Doug himself may not be able to attend, there is no excuse for nothing being on the website or only 1 or 2 GOP leaders attending the events.
I do disagree that it is too late, better late than never, but it has to be soon.
GOD BLESS
I think I bought a tie at Gearheart’s store back in the day.
No leadership on this issue equates to no contributions to the party.
Troy Berman is no longer in WV. He has moved out of state and quit his job.
Berman’s gone? Must have taken a look at the bank statement.
If the ED quit and left, did anyone plan telling the Executive Committee?
Berman was at the state Capitol yesterday.
He was probably meeting with the party’s fundraising co-chairs.
Actually I agree with Mr. Stauffer. It’s about time that conservatives took their party back from the statists and vested interests.
A ray of light appears.
Your article was very compelling and well written, as usual. I assume Doug or Troy, if he is still around, has been asked the questions you pose? If so, could we know their response or reason for lack there of.
A reminder that Bob Murray of Murray Energy, will be a speaker on Cap and Trade, Oct. 20, Tuesday, 6:45pm, Wheeling Ohio County Library, 16th Street, Wheeling, WV – Vote Cindy Hall for Congress
If you are going to discuss State Republican leaders, be specific and do not tar all with the same brush as Doug McKinney, who is apparently still missing in action.
For instance, Donna Gosney, the National Committeewoman, is attending meetings and I have seen her at coal ralleys holding up signs. She supports the Conservative Group, Friends of Coal and FACE.
If you think the WV GOP state staff is not doing a good job, then name names and be specific in your statements.
After all, these people do represent you and you pay their salaries. Consequently, they are accountable to Party members.
Doug McKinney must go. Seriously, what has this guy done for the party other than use it for his own ends? Don’t you people realize that Sue is actually the one pulling the strings?
If the rumors of Troy Berman leaving town are true, then good on him; that’s just more egg in DougandSue’s faces. Meanwhile, you have one of the McKinney kool-aid chuggers (Howell) sending out spam e-mails advertising his auto parts store, then insists everything is fine with the WVGOP’s finances when in fact THEY ARE NOT!!!
We can only hope come time Summer 2010 that the WVGOP Executive Committee will wake up and make sure the McKinney’s do NOT get re-elected as WVGOP co-chairs.
Not surprised about Donna. She gets it.
Has anyone else received a recent fund rasing call from the WVGOP? Number comes up on caller ID as 000 000 0000, West Virginia. The caller identified himself as Scott Burgess and asked for $75.00 donation for state party for 2010 and 2012 elections, for recruitment of candidates and costs associated with winning elections. When I did not respond favorably to 75, he lowered the request to 50. This individiaul interrupted my remarks and became more aggresive as he continued his attempts to persuiade me to contribute.
The state party has made a decision to take on debt that was unnecessary. Renting a new headquarters and hiring an ED when there is no money to support these things is irresponsible. While I do not have a great deal of money to contribute, for the present time, they can put a zero beside my name.
I received the same fund raising call,when I asked if the caller was in state he said he was calling for the WV state party!